Building block



Oct. 9, 1928.

H. R. LOUGHRIDGE BUILDING BLOCK Filed June 24, 1927 2 Sheets-Sheet l Oct. 9, 1928; 1,686,757

H. R. LOUGHRIDGE BUILDING BLOCK Filed June 24, 1927 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 /4 F r Patented Oct. 9, 1928.

UNITED STATES HOWARD R. LOUGHRIDGE, OF CASTLE SHANNON, PENNSYLVANIA.

BUILDING BLOCK.

Application filed June 24,

My invention refers to improvements in concrete building blocks for walls and similar constructions.

It has for its object to provide a block of novel construction, adapting it to firm incororation with other blocks by reason of interl itting and co-operating ridge and channel ortions and registering perforating open,-

mgs for anchoring connection by' ntervening 1o anchoring or cementing portions in the manner of binders.

The invention also provides for correct and easy placement of the blocks in buildings, facilitating proper placement and relatlonship, while also providing against accidental displacement of the blocks in a wall.

A further material advantage and im provement is in the close contacting engagement between the outer edge portions of adj acent blocks, providing for continuous smooth exterior and interior surfaces, together with other features of construction and advantage, as hereinafter described.

Referring to the drawings, showing certain preferred embodiments of the invention:

Fig. l is a perspective view of one form of the block, showing its under side;

Fig. 2 is a similar view, showing the upper face of a-block adapted for corner construction with the block of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a plan view, showing the corner portion of a wall laid with said blocks;

Fig. 4 is a vertical sectional view on the line TV-IV of Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is a partial detail view of the end of the block, with the grooves blanked;

Fig. 6 is a cross sectional view on the line VT-Vl of Fig. 3, showing the joint;

Fig. 7 is a similar view, showing a modified construction;

Fig. 8 is a longitudinal part sect1onal elevation, showin the standard side wall block, on the line VH 'VTII of Fig. 10

Fig. 9 is an end view of Fig. 8; I

Fig. 10 is a plan view of Fig. 8;

Fig. 11 is an under plan view of a double rib block used in forming the joint structure of Fig. 7;

Fig. 12 is a detail plan view, showing a modified construction.

The block as a whole is preferably of standard dimensions, as 8 in. x ,8 in. x 16 in., and is made in the usual way of manufacturing such articles, utilizing any suitable aggregate and binder. Similar sizes, as half blocks for 1927. Serial N0. 201,113.

tending from top to bottom, preferably slightly tapered for easy removal from the forming cores of the block-forming press. Endmost channels 2 extend across one or both ends of the blocks for matching completion of a full sized opening, when theblocks are placed end to end in the Wall in erection.

Similar matching openings 3 or 3 are preferably also provided at oppositesides of the middle opening 3, whereby to provide circulating ventilating aperatures, with main openings A, throughout the vertical interior of the completed wall. If desired, these openlngs may be also used to interlock the blocks against lateral movement, by a filling of concrete. Openings 2, 3 and 3, like openings at, are formed by the usual cores of the blockforming press.

When it is desired to make a solid end block, as at 4:, Fig. 5, the cores for forming end openings 2, 3 or 3 may be removed at one end of the machine, resulting in a continuous, solid end wall, as will be readily understood.

One side, as the top, of the block is provided with longitudinal gutters or channels 5 inwardly of the hearing or supporting edge portions 6. The opposite side of the block is provided with co-operating longitudinal ribs 7 inwardly of corresponding cont-acting supporting edges 8.

Channels 5 are sufficiently deeper than ridges 7 to provide for intervening space for the grouting or cementing body 9, which fills the intervening space between the bearing edges 6, 8, and the interior middle portion of the blocks, as in Fig. 6.

The upper middle surface of the blocks is flat, as at 10, approximately on the same general level as the upper bearing edges 6, while the corresponding lower face of the block 11 is upwardly arched, providing a considerable intervening space 12. Such space, extending longitudinally between the blocks and in open communication with spaces 0:, provides for ample ventilating channel construction in the erected wall. Such space under the blocks also provides ample clearance for any edges 6 and 6 respectively, ,as in Fig.

. ends.

In blocks designed for corner constructions, as in Figs. 1 and 2, the same general I features are embodied. One end portion of the block, however, is continuously flat and closed, as at 4, with a supplemental filling 13, closin the channel 1-2 at one end, at the lower en portion of the block, and, if desired, with fillings 14 at the upper corresponding end, closing the longitudinal channels 5. Otherwise, as in Fig. 2, the longitudinal channels may run clear to the end, the terminal openings of the channels being filled with mortar in building the wall.

In such corner blocks they are provided with transverse channels 5*, extending across the end and inner portion of the block, for interfitting engagement therewith of corresponding downwardly extending ribs 7 extending across between the longitudinal ribs- 7,'as in Fig. 1. v

Ribs 7 a merge into the middle bottom recessed portion by reinforcing thicker or merely concaved filet portions 15, and as shown the grooves 5 and 5 cross each other and also cut through the side and end gearing As thus constructed it will be seen that in laying up a wall, the corner construction provides' for a positive interloclqwith absolute certainty of flush continuation with outside surfaces, and close bearing contact of edges 6 and 8.

In the same manner the ends of the blocks abutagainst each other, forming flush continuations of the surfaces, as at 16, Fig. 8.

With the intervening grouting 9 there is provided a strong anchoring connection between the blocks, holding them firmly together, while the interengaging shoulder and channel construction fixedly locates the blocks with relation to each other against lateral shifting, either longitudinally or laterally.

In Fig. 7 I show a modified construction in which the ribs are doubled, as at 7", with an intervening recess 7. When laid upon the lower block and filled with the grouting 9, there is a double rib engagement therein, in addition to the interlocking function between the ribs and grooves, greatly increasing the surface contact with the binder and further increasing theholding eflect.

The construction of my improved block, in either of the forms described, will be readily understood and appreciated by all those familiar with this class of building material.

Whether used for a bare wall, or with an inner or outer coating of plaster, stucco or substantial, and continuously smooth as to the block surfaces.

The positive bearing of one block against the other insures solidity and strength, with '70 ample closeness and connection due to the grouting and omission of any mortar whatever on either outer face of the block. The sealing of the ends in the manner described insures smooth continuity at the corners, while the provision for air circulation through the various openings is in conformity with the best recognized practice in concrete masonry wall construction.

This application is a continuation and division in part of m prior application filed October 27, 1926, berial No. 144,483.

Having described my invention, what 1' claim is:

1. A building block having longitudinal grooves along its upper side edge portions and longitudinal ribs along its lower side edge portions for interfitting engagement with the grooves of an adjacent block, and provided with endmost grooves coincident with the longitudinal grooves and ribs, the inner faces of the ribs being extended upwardly beyond their main body portions providing interior clearance.

2. A building block having longitudinal grooves along its upper side edge portions and outer bearing faces and longitudinal ribs along and inwardly of its lower side edge portions for interfitting engagement with the grooves of an adjacent block and a middle intervening upwardly recessed channel formed by extending the inner faces of the ribs upwardly and inwardly beyond the side edge portions of the block.

3. A building block having longitudinal grooves along its upper side edge portions, transverse grooves intersecting said grooves, and corresponding longitudinal and transverse ribs along its lower side edge portions and for interfitting engagement with similarly arranged grooves of an adjacent block, the inner faces of the longitudinal ribs extending upwardly beyond the plane of the side edges.

45. A building block having longitudinal grooves along its upper side edge portions and longitudinal ribs along its lower side edge portions for interfitting engagement with the grooves of an adjacent block, the inner portion of the ribs being concaved and providing clearance above the plane of the outer contacting edge portions.

5. A building block having longitudinal grooves along its upper side edge portions and longitudinal ribs along its lower side edge portions for interfitting engagement with the I grooves of an adjacent block with intervening contact.

grooves across the ends of the block in theplane of said grooves and ribs, said ribs merging into upwardly concaved surfaces PI'OVlding continuously open clearancefor intervening binding material.

8. A building block having longitudinal grooves along its up er sidefedge portions and plural member ribs along-its lower side edge portions for interfitting---en with the grooves of an adjacent bloc the innermost of said ribs merging into upwardly concaved surfaces providing continuously open clearance for intervening binding material.

9. In combination, a lower block having di rectly contacting edge bearing portions, a-

groove inwardly of said bearing ortion, an upper block having a co-acting directly contacting edge bearing portion and a rib inwardlythereof with its'inner surface receding upwardly beyond the plane of the edge bearing portion for engagement of said groove and an intervening binder.

10. In combination, a building block having on its top outer edge bearing faces and grooves inwardly thereof, a superimposed locl; having on its bottom outer contacting 1 ing on its top adjacent groove agementedge bearing faces and ribs inwardly thereof with intervening continuous clearance inwardly beyond the ed binding filler of suita le plastic material between the of the c earance.

11. In combination, a building block havouter edge bearing faces and grooves inwardly thereof, a superimposed block having on its bottom outer contacting edge bearing faces and series of plural ribs inwardly thereof with intervening continuous clearance inwardly beyond the edge hearing faces, and a binding filler of suitable plastic material between the grooves and ribs close bearing faces, and a grooves and ribs closing the space inwardl 0f the bearing faces for a portion ing the space inwardly of the bearing faces for a portion of the clearance.

12. A building block having an outer upper and lower fiat side edge bearing face, an long one'face of the block, and a correspondingly located rib along its other face, the inner'sur'face of the rib receding inwardly and upwardly beyond the plane "of the fiat side edge providing clearance space between it and the inner portion of the groove of an adjacent block. 7 13. In combination, longitudinal groove along its upper face an an outer flat bearing strip surface, and a superimposed block having a co-acting longitudinal rib along its under face and an outer flat bearing strip. surface in direct contact with said surface, and an intervenin binder betweenthe groove and rib exten ing inpardly above the plane of the bearing suraces.

In testimony whereof I hereunto afiix my signature. j

HOWARD R. LOUGHRIDGE' a lower block having a 

